How Do You Grow Seakale?

Growing Seakale: A Perennial Powerhouse for Your Garden

Let me tell you about a vegetable that’s as tough as it is delicious: seakale (Crambe maritima). It's a perennial marvel that thrives where most plants would sulk—the sandy, salty coastal edges of life. But don’t let its rugged origins fool you. With a bit of care, seakale can be right at home in your garden too, lending a blend of beauty and bounty.

What Makes Seakale Special?

Seakale offers something rare: it’s a vegetable that comes back every year. Think asparagus or rhubarb, but for those who crave the salty tang of the sea in their food. You can eat its blanched shoots, young leaves, flowers, and even its roots. I’ve had seakale shoots sautéed in butter—it’s one of life’s simplest pleasures, truly.

Its broad, waxy, blue-green leaves also make it a showstopper visually. Even if you didn’t eat a bite, you’d still want this plant in your beds, trust me.

Where to Plant Seakale

Seakale doesn’t want your rich, loamy soil. Nope, this plant thrives in well-drained, poor soil—the scruffier, the better. Sandy or gravelly spots are ideal. If you’re prone to overwatering, stop and check yourself now. This plant hates wet feet. Excess water will rot its substantial taproot faster than you can say, "Compost pile."

You’ll also want full sun. Seakale will tolerate a bit of shade, but sunlight is what helps it grow strong shoots and these stunning, kale-like leaves.

How to Get Started with Seakale

Seeds or Crowns?

If you’re patient, start from seeds. Seakale seeds require stratification—that’s just a fancy word for saying they need a winter simulation. Wrap them in damp paper towels, seal them in a bag, and toss them in the fridge for six weeks. When planting, give those seeds plenty of space, at least 18 inches apart. This plant sprawls.

For quicker results, opt for crowns or root cuttings. Plant them in spring or autumn, and make sure the top of the crown sits just at or below the soil surface. Water sparingly. Give them time. The taproot will do the heavy lifting underground.

Caring for Seakale

Watering: Less Is More

Once established, seakale is practically drought-tolerant. In fact, mine survives without coddling even in the hottest summers. Keep the soil just moist during its first growing season, but then let it fend for itself. It likes that.

Weeds Are the Enemy

Because seakale hates competition, mulching the area around the base is key. I’ve learned this wisdom the hard way after losing a few plants to invasive grasses. Use something light like bark chips or straw to keep weeds at bay without suffocating the soil.

Blanching for Tender Shoots

If you want those crisp, tender shoots that chefs fawn over, you’ll need to blanch the plant. In late winter, cover it with a large flower pot or an old bucket to block the light. After four to six weeks in this darkness, you’ll have beautifully pale, succulent stems ready to harvest. Remove the cover once you're done to let the plant photosynthesize properly again.

Harvesting Seakale

After the second year, your seakale will reward you with consistent growth. Patience is non-negotiable with this plant. Don’t rob it of too many shoots or leaves all at once, though. Take only what you need to ensure the plant regains its strength each season. For root harvests, wait until the plant naturally dies down in late autumn before taking a spade to the ground.

“Seakale is no sprint. It’s a marathon vegetable. But the payoff? Clean, earthy shoots that taste like they were kissed by the ocean.”

A Few Troubleshooting Tips

If you notice yellowing leaves, suspect poor drainage or overly rich soil. Correct that before it spirals into root rot. Slugs might nibble the young shoots, but a sprinkling of crushed eggshells or a copper ring will stop them cold.

Dividing the plants every five years will help maintain vigor. Trust me, by then you’ll have enough seakale to share with friends or trade for heirloom seeds at your local gardening club.

The Final Note on Seakale

Growing seakale isn’t complicated, but it does compel you to think like the plant. It loves neglect and thrives on simplicity. That’s rare in the gardening world, isn’t it? Once you see those wide, prehistoric leaves unfurling each spring, you’ll realize it was worth the wait. And when you taste that first tender bite, you’ll know it’s a keeper.

Weeds are a problem in many gardens and fields. Fortunately, seakale is a weed-free crop that can be easily grown in any garden. It does best in full sun, well-drained soil, and sandy loam with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. You can grow seakale from seed or by starting with cuttings and transplanting the rooted cuttings into the garden after they have developed two or three leaves. you can also buy seeds of certain varieties of seakale. once you have grown seakale in your garden, you can use the greens and stalk to prepare soups, stews, and stir-fries. you can also dry the seakale greens and store them in an airtight container.